A nursing student is preparing to give a pregnant woman heparin for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).The student questions the dose,as it is higher than what the student has given to other patients.What response by the perinatal nurse is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pregnant patient has a greater plasma volume and an increased renal clearance (due to increased blood flow to the kidneys).The combination of normally occurring heparin-binding proteins along with the breakdown of heparin often results in the need for higher doses of heparin during pregnancy.

A Nursing Student Is Preparing to Give a Pregnant Woman